PARIS — Marta Kostyuk continues her remarkable unbeaten run on clay this season, advancing to the fourth round of the French Open for the second time on Friday. She’s set to face the formidable four-time champion Iga Swiatek in what promises to be an exciting matchup.
Ranked 15th, the Ukrainian star displayed her prowess on the court, extending her clay court winning streak to 15 matches with a solid 6-4, 6-3 victory over Viktorija Golubic on another scorching day in Paris. Leading up to Roland Garros, Kostyuk claimed her biggest career title in Madrid, following another trophy from Rouen, France.
Kostyuk previously reached the fourth round in Paris in 2021, where she faced off against Swiatek and lost. A rematch is on the horizon after Swiatek triumphed over compatriot Magda Linette with a 6-4, 6-4 scoreline.
“Marta is enjoying a fantastic season,” commented Swiatek, who hasn’t clinched a title on clay since winning the 2024 French Open. “She has always had the talent for big performances, having reached several semifinals and now winning Madrid. It’s wonderful for her.”
Despite Kostyuk’s exceptional form, Swiatek has won all three of their previous encounters in straight sets, boasting an impressive 43-3 record overall at Roland Garros.
“I’m still the one who has lost to her three times, and she’s a four-time champion here,” remarked Kostyuk. “While I wish to be considered the favorite, I still see it differently, especially given my lengthy winning streak.”
Also advancing to the fourth round is 36-year-old Sorana Cirstea, who dominated Solana Sierra and etched her name in history as the oldest player in the Open Era to achieve a 6-0, 6-0 victory in a Grand Slam. She will next face China’s Wang Xiyu, who defeated Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtseva 6-3, 7-5, continuing her campaign without losing a set.
Eighth-seeded Mirra Andreeva progressed by defeating Czech player Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-2. Andreeva leads the women’s tour with 32 wins this season and will clash with Jill Teichmann, who overcame 10th-seeded Karolina Muchova 6-1, 7-5 in her fourth-round match.
In men’s competition, after top-ranked Jannik Sinner’s shocking defeat, three-time champion Novak Djokovic is set to face Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca.
Second-seeded Alexander Zverev, on the hunt for his first major title in Paris, will continue his journey against Frenchman Quentin Halys during the evening session, while Casper Ruud faces Tommy Paul.
Earlier, Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta advanced to the fourth round in a major for the first time since the 2022 U.S. Open by defeating Argentina’s Thiago Tirante 7-6 (0), 7-5, 3-6, 6-4. Andrey Rublev also progressed, winning against Nuno Borges 7-5, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2).
